P2 HD importing

I know this is day 1 stuff, and I have asked around but still no luck. But how do I import 1080 footage from the P2 via 1394 firewire. I am using a macbook pro 14.1 x and running final cut pro 5.0. I have installed every driver, and P2 software I can find but still nothing works. If someone could explain exactly what I need and what to do I would be grateful

You are running software that is not compatible with your computer. FCP 5.0 is powerPC based...you are running an Intel machine. You need FCP 5.1 at least on that machine. Since that is not available, you need to get FCP 6.

Here is the tutorial for the FCP 5.0.4 workflow (and you need 5.0.4 or P2 will not import)...

I managed to import the footage without any driver (by connecting the camera to my G5 via firewire).
Just File > Import > Panasonic P2, which is actually confirmed on their web site,
see at the bottom of this link;

Only thing is; I can only import 1080i/50. Unable to import 720p/25p or 720p/50p which is sort of
logical as I don't have those formats available in my Easy Setup or in my Sequence Settings in my
FCP 5.0.4 (and QT 7.1.2, Mac OS 10.4.11).

Is that something I'm going to get by upgrading my FCP to 5.1.2 (I've got the discs) or the problem is somewhere else. I'm sort of surprised to see Sequence Settings for 720p/60 in my FCP as I am in PAL land. Why the other two 720p/25 and 720p/50 are not available.

I tried the link but no such luck, I heard it is possible to use your camera as a P2 reader and a icon should pop up on your desktop like a hard drive is this the link to get that working or does anyone else know of what to do??

What you are saying is correct, I've done that, and don't forget to use firewire cable, not USB,
and yes, it's all in the manual.

But, more importantly, in Shane's article he explains how to TRANSFER first the footage from P2
card to an external hard drive (this your "tape", meaning backup) then IMPORT that footage from your
external drive to FCP (to your media drive).

What I've done, and the same, what you are asking about is just an import which doesn't provide you
with a backup.